The approval of the Blue Bond is indeed a momentous occasion for all, since the country’s external debt will be reduced by half a billion dollars, thanks to the new arrangement. Lead Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay puts it all into perspective. Eamon Courtenay, Senator for Government Business “Madam President, today on this […]
NGO Senator Osmany Salas holds the firm position that it should not be credited to any one party and that it shows political maturity that such an initiative can commence under one administration and be concluded under another. Osmany Salas, Senator, NGO Community “This is not about the PUP, it is not about the […]
In economic news, during the month of September 2021, imports took a giant leap, up by over seventy percent while exports dropped, compared to the same period last year. These are the latest statistics coming out of the Statistical Institute of Belize. According to S.I.B, in September Belize imported goods valued at one hundred and […]
Looking at the consumer price index for the month of September, SIB’s data reflects an increase in the cost of fuel, food, and LPG and personal care products, when compared to September of 2020. A notable increase of eleven percent was recorded in the transport category. The price of food and non alcoholic beverages saw […]
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed this afternoon, aimed at creating economic opportunities for Belizean woman. It is a joint venture, through the Ministries of Human Development and Agriculture, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Services (BELTRAIDE) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The four entities will together provide the necessary job readiness, business and […]
Statistics show millions of women have far less access to financing than men, but this new initiative aims to close that gap, as the technical people pledged to today. Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, Dr. Leroy Almendarez and General Manager of the SFC, Natalie Goff, explained that contrary to popular belief, statistics also show that women […]
The Commander of the Colombian Air Force is in Belize. General Ramsés Rueda and his delegation visited Brigadier General Steven Ortega, Commander of the Belize Defence Force, at Price Barracks, Ladyville. The purpose of the visit was to discuss combating transnational organized crime and the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries’ […]
Today two people convicted in the Dangriga Supreme Court in September were sentenced for their role in a case of child prostitution. Justice Antoinette Moore gave Jeffery Perez the maximum sentence of twelve years imprisonment for the crime of “child prostitution” and Petrona Inez Montejo got ten years for “Procuring a child for sexual exploitation.” […]
In this week’s briefing, Cabinet expressed concern about the rising cost of fuel and agreed to a team to look at possible mitigation measures. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers approved to draft a Public Private Partnership policy and the creation of a PPP Unit to mobilize private sector capita for development projects that […]
This evening, Nurse Lizette Bell, the Deputy Director of Nursing in the Ministry, gave further details about the COVID booster shots and eligibility during the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Up 2 The Minute live stream this evening. Lizette Bell, Deputy Director of Nursing, MOHW “Effective immediately the ministry of health and wellness would […]
This year’s United Nation’s Conference of Parties, better known as COP26, takes place in Glasgow, Scotland in the United Kingdom. Over the next two weeks, world leaders will converge to see where countries are in meeting the commitments made in the Paris Agreement signed back in 2015. One of the goals was to limit global […]
The effects of climate change as explained by Minister Orlando Habet are real – we’ve been experiencing it. In some areas along the coast, land is washing way and entire families need to relocate. While there are several areas including agriculture, energy, oceans and forests that will also be discussed at the high level meetings, […]
It’s that time again. That’s right the 2021 Belize International Film Festival is almost here. This time around, thirty films and ten music videos will be featured in the festival that always includes both locally produced short films and documentaries, along with films from across the world. This year it is going to be all […]
Testimonials from survivors as well as the loved ones of those affected by COVID-19 as well as the importance of vaccinations have been ventilated in the our news segment COVID-19 Chronicles. The pandemic continues to have a hold on the country – in areas of public health, the economy and tourism. But on the flip […]
We’ve been hearing about blood clot issues that COVID has had on survivors from other regions, and now, there are reports that Belizeans who have been infected with the virus are also having blood clot issues months later. President of the Belize Medical and Dental Association, Dr. Uldine Wright told News Five today that while […]
Dr. Wright said that from this past Monday and for the next four days, Belizean doctors are engaged with their international counterparts in the Belize Medical and Dental Association’s thirty-seventh Medical Congress discussing medicine and the coronavirus. What doctors abroad have been witnessing and coming up with to treat their patients could be of relevance […]
On Tuesday, we heard Internist, Dr. Fernando Cuellar say that members of the medical community were calling for mandatory vaccinations in Belize after several of their members, the most recent of whom is pediatrician Dr. Cecilio Eck has become infected with COVID. BMDA President, Dr. Uldine Wright told News Five today that their two hundred […]
Earlier this month, the price per gallon of liquefied petroleum gas, butane, increased by thirty-eight cents. The price hike was attributed to a combination of supply issues as stock levels in the United States continue to dwindle in the face of strong external demand. On Tuesday, the Briceño administration introduced a bill to amend the […]
A raft of bills pertaining to existing loans that the Government of Belize has with banks in Taiwan was brought before the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The Briceño administration is seeking to defer payments on these debts in order to save money over a two-year and three-year period, respectively. Prime Minister John Briceño, who […]
While the opposition leader acknowledges the assistance that the Taiwanese government has provided over the years, he says that there is no immediate relief for Belizean motorists across the country. Notwithstanding G.O.B.’s ability to save millions of dollars by staying its payments to the Export/Import Bank and Mega International Commercial Bank, it has been unable […]
Today, the media was invited to witness the early harvesting of carrots from the fields in San Carlos Village in the Orange Walk District. The orange root vegetable was of good quality and was a test carried out by the farmers to plant earlier than usual in an effort to supply the market demands. […]
Among the issues that have been affecting the industry is price gouging. This is being carried out by those described as “predatory persons” who mark up the prices, burdening consumers. Regarding recent reports that some carrots seem to rot quickly, Orange Walk District Agriculture Coordinator Barry Palacio says that all carrots – imported or local […]
But in order to compete with the imported carrots from the region, which are being sold at lower prices, farmers from the New River Farmers Cooperative wants help from government. Soil quality, a climate-resilient variety of the carrot, among other things will take significant investment. Today, we asked Agriculture C.E.O. Servulo Baeza about what government […]
A new agreement has still not been made between the larger sugar cane farmer association, B.S.C.F.A. and the millers, A.S.R./B.S.I. According to a clause within the standing contract that is soon coming to an end, either party can request renegotiation of a new agreement. The millers are saying there is no need for any negotiation […]
PSU President Says DHS Does Not Have “Too Many Roles” The Public Service Union President has commented on GOB’s move to restructure the leadership posts at the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Dean Flowers says there is already an efficient organizational structure at the office of the Director of Health Services. On Monday, Prime […]
